Dispensing mechanism



1958 M. J. BRASILE ETAL 2,847,145

DISPENSING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 14. 1954 ll 74 m W INVENTORS. NazarweJBra da syJackfimo/za/rdaolz. M14010, PM 7 -w Aug. 1958 I M. J. BRASILE ETAL 2,847,145

DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 14, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO flea/Zea LB/225% 12, 1958 M. J. BRASILE. EIAL 2,847,145

DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 14, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS fiQzz/zce J Breads syJac/r EEZc/zczrdaora 2,847,145- DISPENSING MECHANISM.

Maurice J. Brasile and Jack Bertrand Richardson, Woodstock, 111.; said Richardson assignor to said Brasile Application September 14,1954, Serial'No. 455,918 18 Claims. (Cl. 222-67) This invention relates, as indicated, to a dispensing mechanism, and more particularly to a dispensing mechanism provided with an improved valve for discharging fluids.

In the milk industry, particularly the retail. selling of milk, stringent laws and sanitary codes are inetfect to restrict the sale of milk except through the medium of approved equipment. Thus, any dispensingmechanism for milk must meet with the approval of such laws and codes.

It is desirable in dispensing fluids into receptacles to prevent undue spilling or splashing of such fluids. In the past spilling or splashing has been prevented by moving the receptacle to a position adjacent to the discharge nozzle of the dispensing mechanism.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a dispensing mechanism which will meet the approval of various sanitary'codes.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispensing mechanism which. is easily disassembled and cleaned.

It is a yet further. object of the invention to provide a valve that is operated bya mechanism external to such valve.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a dispensing mechanism having a telescopic valve that reduces and spilling and splashing of fluids- Further objects and advantages of this. invention will become evident asthe description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanying drawing which illustrates one embodiment of the invention and in which similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a sideelevation view-of the dispensing mechanism embodying the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a front elevation view of' the dispensing mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section view'tak'e'n through valve 4a and the float valve of the dispensingmechanism.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line- 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section view of the dispensing mechanismtaken through valve 41 and solenoid box 59, showing the valve in closed position.

Figure 6 is a view of the dispensing mechanism shown in Figure 5 with the valve in open position.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7'7' of Figure 6. g

In general the dispensing mechanism comprises a container i0 and valves 4'0; 41 for discharging fluids into a receptacle ll.

Container 14 is supported by posts 74 and with fluids from a supply tank supply conduit 13 to nipple 14;

As shown in Figure '3, the container I0 is provided with a supply control through a floatlmechanfism comprising a fitting 15 having a nipple I 4whieli isan exis supplied (not shown) through a tension of fitting boss is adapted 15 outside container 10. Fitting 15 has a threaded portion 16 projecting through opening 17 in the container 10. Washers 18 are mounted on the projection of fitting 15 outside container 10.

Fit-ting 15 is held in position by a lock nut 19 which engages screw threads 16. A conduit 20 extends through fitting 15 from nipple 14 to inside container 10 in which it turns downwardly to an open end for admitting fluids to the container 10.

A tube extension 21 is removably mounted tofitting 15 by a slot 22 and bayonet pin 23. The extension 22 conducts the fluid below the surface level to prevent foammg.

A valve seat 26 is provided in nipple 14. Cooperating with valve seat 26 to shut off the fluid supply is a disc 27 disposed outside valve seat 26 and between valve seat 26 and the supply 13. Connected to the disc 27 is a valve stem 28.

A float 30 of the usual type is provided in container 10 havinga nod 31 mounted in arm 33. Arm 33 is pivoted on fitting 15 at 32 above stem 28.

Arm 33 has a flange 35. Valve stem 28 is connected to flange 35, so that as float 30 is raised and lowered the valve is closed and opened. The lower extremity of flange 35 is bent toward the fitting 15 to form a bent portion 36 serving as a stop for the valve stem 28.

As the fluids enter the container 10 through supply conduit 13, such fluids exert a positive pressure against (disc '27 firmly seating said disc against the valve seat 16 preventing entry of the fluid into container 10. As the level of the fluid drops in container 10, float 30 also drops and operates arm 32, pivoting it about 32, moving valve stem 23 and disc 27 to permit further entry of the fluid into container 10.

Valves 40, 41 have the same construction, and the same reference numerals have been used to designate similar elements in both valves. Referring now to valve 40, as shown in Figure 3, a conduit means 48 is connected to the bottom wall 37 of container 10. The bottom wall 37 has a depression 38. A tubular conduit 48 in valve 40 is inserted from the interior of container 10 through opening 39 in depression 38. The conduit 48 has mounted thereon flange 43 shaped to fit the contour of depression 38. Conduit 48 is provided with threads 44 below flange 43. Lock nut 45 is screwed on such threads to secure valve 40 to container 10. It will be seen that in assembling the valve mechanism, conduit 48 is inserted through opening 39 in the bottom wall of 37 of the container 10. Lock nut 45 is then screwed on threads 44 to hold the valve tightly in position.

Conduit 48 is cylindrical in shape and has a downwardly projecting open end 49. An outer sleeve 51 is mounted for sliding movement on conduit 48. Sleeve 51 has a tubular projection 52 extending below the open end 49 of conduit 48. Tubular projection 52 has a smaller diameter than conduit 48.

The valve seat 55 is mounted within the tubular projection 52. A plug 56 is adapted to rest on valve seat 55 to close the valve. A valve stem 57 is connected to plug 56. Plug 56 and stem 57 are free floating elements. Valve stem 57 has an upper end 53 which projects upwardly'wit'hin conduit 48 and into container 10. Formed on the upper end of conduit 48 within container 10 is a bonnet 61 for supporting the upper end 58 of valve stem 57 by a bearing 62.

Valve Stem 57 has formed thereon a boss 65. This to abut against bearing 62 when the valve stem 57 is in raised position. Thus the boss 65 acts as a stop limiting the upward movement of sleeve 51 by valveseat 55 abutting plug 56 and boss 65 on valve stem '57 abutting bearing 62.

As more clearly shown in Figure 4, valve stem 57 is provided with a pin 66 immediately below and adjacent boss 65. Pine 66 serves as a stop limiting the downward travel of valve stem 57. When seat 55 are lowered, plug 56 and the movement of such valve seat until pin 66 abuts the flange 43 on bottom wall 37 of container 10 thereby stopping the downward travel of the valve stem 57. Continued movement of sleeve 51 downwardly separates valve seat 55 from plug 56, thereby discharging the fluids.

Sleeve 51 is provided with a flange 68 adapted to abut the plate 72 to limit the downward stroke of the sleeve. It will be noted that in order to separate the valve seat 55 from plug 56 to permit discharge of fluids, pin 66 is positioned so as to limit the downward travel of plug 56 to a distance less than the downward stroke of sleeve 51.

A boss 69 is formed on sleeve 51 and cooperates with yoke 80 in the upward and downward movements of sleeve 51.

A plate 72 is mounted by brackets 73 to posts 74 the valve 40.

Plate 72 serves to abut flange 68 when the outer sleeve 51 of the valve is moved downwardly. Plate 72 is provided with downwardly turned flanges 71 adapted to guide the receptacles as they are moved to and from the valve. Plate 72 also has an opening 75 for reception of the tubular projection 52 of the sleeve 51 when such sleeve is moved downwardly.

A splash plate 77 may be mounted below the opening 78 in the tubular projection 52 of sleeve 51.

Referring now to Figure 7, the sleeve 51 is moved by the C-shaped yoke 80. Yok 80 has inwardly turned ears 81, 82 above and below flange 69 for engagement therewith.

Referring again to Figure 3, yoke 80 is mounted on a first-class lever 85 which is pivotally mounted by pin 86 to mounting plate 87. Mounting plate 87 is secured by screws 84 to post 74. The yoke 80 holds sleeve 51 in the upward or closed position by tension spring 88 fastened at 89 to lever 85 and at 90 to post 74. Sleeve 51 is moved downwardly through lever 65 by operation of rock shaft 92. As rock shaft 92 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction it also rotates crank arm 93. A link 94 is pivotally connected at 95 to crank arm 93 and to lever 85 at pivot joint 96. Thus, counter-clockwise rotation of rock shaft 92 also rotates crank arm 93 operating lever 85 through link 94, thereby imparting downward movement to sleeve 51 against the tension of spring 88.

Referring now to Figures and 6, the rotation of rock shaft 92 to open and close valve 41 is illustrated. The solenoid 100 employed for the rotation of crank shaft 92 is mounted in box 99. Box 99 is mounted to post 74 rearwardly of the valve 41. As shown, a solenoid 100 having an armature 101 is mounted within box 99. Armature 101 has ears 102 at one extremity thereof. Ears 102 pivotally mount arm 103 by pin 104. Arm 103 is pivotally connected to crank shaft 107 at 108. Crank shaft 107 is mounted on rock shaft 92. A crank arm 110 is mounted on rock shaft 92. A tension spring 111 is fastened between pin 112 on box 99 and an aperture 113 in crank arm 110. Tension spring 111 biases crank arm 110 in a clockwise direction to hold the valve closed.

Figure 5 shows the valve 41 in closed position. The solenoid 100 is de-energized and the armature 101 is disposed outside the coil solenoid 100. The rock shaft 92 holds valve 41 in closed position by tension spring 111 and by a tension spring between lever 118 and post 74 (not shown).

In Figure 6 the solenoid has been energized by closing of a switch (not shown) to move armature 101 inside the coil of solenoid 100. The rock shaft 92 has been rotated in a counter-clockwise direction against the tension spring 111 to move the sleeve 51 of the valve downwardly.

The movement and mounting of the yoke on the sleeve valve stem 57 ride with below the sleeve 51 and valve.

51 has been described in regard to valve 40, but a further description of the mounting of the yoke to valve 41 will be explained hereinafter. The yoke 116 is mounted for engagement with sleeve 51 of valve 41, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Yoke 116 is provided with ears 117 for engaging flange 69 of sleeve 51. First-class lever 118, pivotally mounted by pin 119 on mounting plate 120, is connected to yoke 116. The mounting plate 120 is fastened to post 74 by screws 121. A link 122 is pivotally connected at to lever 118. Link 122 is pivotally connected at 124 to crank arm 123. Crank arm 123 is mounted on shaft 92 and operates to impart downward movement to sleeve 51 when shaft 92 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction.

From the foregoing, the operation of the dispensing mechanism should be apparent. Fluids are supplied to container 10 and maintained at a fixed level by the float valve mechaism. Receptacles are moved in a position below valves 40 and 41 for the discharge of fluid from container 10. At the proper time the solenoid 100 is energized to move the outer sleeve 51 of the valves downwardly to a point at which the sleeve 51 abuts plate 72 through flange 68. As the sleeve is moved downwardly, the valve stem 57 rides with the sleeve for a certain distance, less than the distance in which the sleeve moves. As the pin 66 engages the flange 4-;- to stop the downward travel of valve stem 57, plug 56 is separated from valve seat 55, permitting the discharge of fluids into the receptacle. It will be seen that if the receptacles are below the valves, the extension of the valves will move the tubular projection 52 toward the receptacles, reducing the space therebetween to prevent splashing and spilling of liquids outside of such receptacles.

Ordinarily, both valves 40, 41 are employed for filling half gallon cartons. If smaller sizes are to be filled only one valve is used. The other valve is rendered inoperative by disconnecting link 94 or 122.

In the drawing and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and in the proportion of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated, as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as further defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a dispensing mechanism for supplying fluids from a container into a receptacle, a telescopic valve comprising a conduit means communicating with said container having a downwardly projecting open end, a sleeve means mounted for movement relative to said conduit, said sleeve means having a section projecting beyond said open end of said conduit means, a valve seat having la passageway therethrough mounted internally on said section, a floating plug member seated against said valve seat closing said passageway to prevent the discharge of fluids from the container, and means for discharging fluids from the container including a stop member for limiting the movement of said plug member with said sleeve means, whereby said plug member is separated from said valve seat as said telescopic valve is extended toward the receptacle.

2. In a dispensing mechanism for supplying fluids from a container into a receptacle, a telescopic valve comprising conduit means communicating with said container having a downwardly projecting open end, sleeve means mounted for downward movement of a predetermined distance relative to said conduit means, said sleeve means having a section projecting beyond said open end of said conduit means, a valve seat having a passageway therethrough mounted internally on said section, a floating plug member seated against said valve seat closing said passageway to prevent the discharge of :ifluids .from the container, and means for discharging fluids from the c'ontainertincludi g a'st'op'member for limiting the downward travel of said plug member to a second distance less than said' predetermined distance 3. In a dispensing! mechanism for supplying fluids from a container into a receptacle, a telescopic valve comprising a conduit means communicating with said coning said sleeve means a predetermined distance relative to said conduit means, .said sleeve means havinga tubular section projecting beyond said open end of said conduit means, a valve seat having. a passageway therethrough mounted internally on said tubular section, a floating plug means seated against said valve seat closing said passageway to prevent the discharge offluids from-the having a section projecting beyond said 'open end o f'said first distance of said sleeve movement, whereby saidplug member is separated from said valve seat.

5. In a dispensing mechanism for supplying fluids from a container to a receptacle, a valve comprising a conduit projecting open end, sleeve means mounted for movement relative to said conduit, said sleeve means having a section projecting beyond said open end of said conduit, a valve seat having a passageway th'erethro'ugh mounted internally on said section, a floating plug member seated for movingsaid sleeve means relative to said conduit, a

iting the downward stroke of said sleevemeans to a first distance, and means for' distance of said sleeve means, whereby said plug member is separated from said valvese'at.

7. In a dispensing mechanism for supplying fluids fr'om a con alner to a receptacle, a valve comprising a conduit said section, a plug seated against said valve seat clo's'in'g movement;v whereby said plug is separated from said v'alveseat.

9. vIn a dispensing mechanism the combination of a fluid container, means for supplying 'fluid to said conthe movement of said sleeve means, whereby, said plug member is separated from said valve seat.

l0. In a dispensing meehanisni'the combination of a movement relative to said conduit, said sleeve means having a section projecting beyond said open end of said conduit, a valve seat having a passageway therethrough mounted internally on said section, a floating second stop member for limiting the downward travel of said plug member to a second distance less than said first distance of said sleeve movement, whereby said plug member is separated from said valve seat.

11. In a dispensing mechanism the combination of a fluid container, means for supplying fluid to said container, means in said container operable to maintain the fluid in said container at a preselective level, a valve mounted on said container for dispensing fluid from said container into a receptacle, said valve comprising conduit means communicating with said container having a downwardly projecting open end, sleeve means mounted for movement relative to said conduit means, said sleeve means having a section projecting beyond said open end of said conduit, a valve seat having a passageway therethrough mounted internally on said section, a fi'JEltlllg plug member seated against said valve seat closing said passageway to prevent the discharge of fluids from the container means for moving said sleeve means relative to said conduit, a first stop member for limiting the downward stroke of said sleeve means to a first distance, and means for discharging fluids from the container including a second stop member for limiting the downward travel of said plug member to a second distance less than said first distance of said sleeve movement, whereby said plug member is separated from said valve seat.

12. In a dispensing mechanism the combination of a fluid container, means for supplying fluid to said container, means in said container operable to maintain the fluid in said container at a preselective level, a valve mounted on said container for dispensing fluid from said container into a receptacle, said valve comprising a conduit communicating with said container having a downwardly projecting open end, a sleeve mounted for movement on said conduit, said sleeve having a section projecting beyond said open end of said conduit, a valve seat having a passageway therethrough mounted internally on said section, a plug seated against said valve seat closing said passageway to prevent the discharge of fluids from the container, a floating valve stem connected to said plug and extending upwardly within said conduit adapted to ride a part of the distance with said sleeve, and means for discharging fluids from the container including a stop for limiting the downward travel of said stem to a distance less than the distance of said sleeve movement, whereby said plug is separated from said valve seat.

13. In a dispensing mechanism the combination of a fluid container, means for supplying fluid to said container, means in said container operable to maintain the fluid in said container at a preselective level, a valve mounted on said container for dispensing fluid from said container into a receptacle, said valve comprising a cylindrical conduit communicating with said container having a downwardly projecting open end, a sleeve mounted for sliding movement on said conduit, said sleeve having a section projecting beyond said open end of said conduit, a valve seat having a passageway therethrough mounted internally on said section, a plug seated against said valve seat closing said passageway to prevent the discharge of fluids from the container, a floating valve stem connected to said plug and extending upwardly within said conduit into said container adapted to ride a part of the distance with said sleeve, and means for discharging fluids from the container including a stop stop mounted on said stem within said container for limiting the downward travel of said stem to .a distance less than the distance of said sleeve movement, whereby said plug is separated from said valve seat.

14. In a dispensing mechanism for supplying fluids from a container to a receptacle, a valve comprising a conduit communicating with said container having a downwardly projecting open end, a sleeve member mounted for movement relative to said conduit, said sleeve member having a section projecting beyond said open end of said conduit, a valve seat having a passageway therethrough mounted internally on said section, a floating plug means for closing said passageway to prevent discharge of fluids from the container by seating against said valve seat, means for moving said sleeve member downwardly relative to said conduit, means for discharging fluids from the container including a stop member for limiting the downward travel of said plug member with said sleeve member so that said plug memher is separated from said valve seat, and means including a spring for moving said sleeve member upwardly.

15. In a dispensing mechanism for supplying fluids from a container to a receptacle, a valve comprising a conduit communicating with said container having a downwardly projecting open end, a sleeve member mounted for movement relative to said conduit, said sleeve member having a section projecting beyond said open end of said conduit, a valve seat having a passageway therethrough mounted internally on said section, a floating plug means for closing said passageway to prevent discharge of fluids from the container by seating against said valve seat, means for moving said sleeve relative to said conduit, means for discharging fluids from the container including a stop member for limiting the downward travel of said plug member with said sleeve member so that said plug member is separated from said valve seat, and spring means for biasing said valve to closed position.

16. In a dispensing mechanism for supplying fluids from a container to a receptacle, a valve comprising a conduit communicating with said container having a downwardly projecting open end, a sleeve member mounted for movement relative to said conduit, said sleeve member having a section projecting beyond said open end of said conduit, a valve seat having a passageway therethrough mounted internally on said section, a floating plug means for closing said passageway to prevent the discharge of fluids from the container seating against said valve seat, spring means for biasing said sleeve to an upward position, means for moving said sleeve member to a downward position against said spring means, and means for discharging fluids from the container including a stop member for limiting the downward travel of said plug member with said sleeve member so that said plug member is separated from said valve seat.

17. In a dispensing mechanism for supplying fluids from a container into a receptacle, a conduit member for communicating with said container having an open end, a sleeve member on said conduit member for extending relatively axially thereto from a retracted to an extended position, a section on said sleeve member projecting beyond said open end of said conduit having a passageway therethrough, a plug member in said section of the sleeve member and movable therewith closing said passageway when said sleeve is extended from a retracted position to a predetermined distance from said retracted position, and means for separating said valve from said passageway after said sleeve has been extended beyond a predetermined distance to permit fluid to flow therefrom.

18. In a dispensing mechanism for supplying fluids from a container into a receptacle, a conduit member for communicating with said container having an open end, a sleeve member on said conduit member for extending relatively axially thereto from a retracted to an extended position, a section on said sleeve member projecting beyond said open end of said conduit having a passageway therethrough, a plug member in said section of the sleeve member and movable therewith closing said passageway when said sleeve is extended from a retracted position to a predetermined distance from said retracted position, and means including a member operativcly associated with said plug member to open said passage- 803,722 way for discharging fluids from the container after said 1,613,248 sleeve has been extended beyond a predetermined dis- 2,404,119 tance. 2,611,525

5 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 218,135 Rich Aug. 5, 1879 Smith Searing Zanolli Spurr Nov. 7, 1905 Jan. 4, 1927 July 16, 1946 Sept. 23, 1952 

